Chapter Seven
"Aren't you like the cutest thing ever?"
The Konoha shinobi watched warily as Kagome clung to the Kyuubi's paw, rubbing her face in its fur as she squealed in delight. Their eyes nearly popped out their sockets when Kyuubi let out a loud purr and carefully nuzzled the girl clinging to him. Kagome wiggled around until she was sitting on its paw and scratched the bijuu's orange muzzle.
"You're such a good boy! Yes you are! Yes you are!"
Minato started to say something when he hissed in pain. He looked down and saw a white snake darting through the bushes and cursed under his breath. Hopefully, it wasn't poisonous. But when one of Kyuubi's tails started thumping the ground that was when Minato had enough. "Kagome Namikaze!" He yelled with authority, taking a step forward towards the wide eyed girl. He immediately made a strategic retreat after Kyuubi's red eyes narrowed and it growled. Kagome wiped her watery eyes discreetly as she climbed off Kyuubi and to everyone's astonishment; the fox gently licked the girl and began to whine.
"It's okay. I'll make sure you'll be let out again really soon. I'll be fine." Kyuubi didn't look convinced as he let out a final whine before disappearing in a flash of red light and a ruby attached itself back to Kagome's necklace. She sighed and turned to meet her father's furious cerulean orbs and the other shinobi's faces didn't look encouraging. She cringed.
She should've just stayed dead.
"And you were utterly careless! What were you thinking by jumping off Kilala? Do you understand that you could've died Kagome?"
She didn't think now was a good time to mention that she had, in fact, died. Especially in front of Kakashi and Jiraiya who already looked almost as pissed off as her father. Luckily, Naruto had been left at home with several ANBU guards and Tsunade was busy at the hospital tending the wounded. She was having a hard enough time trying not to cry. If both of them were in the office as well, she was sure she'd be a blubbering mess by now.
A knock on the door got everyone's attention and with a huge sigh, Minato sat at his desk and told them to come in. Kagome squeaked in surprise when Kakashi suddenly yanked her onto his lap, his unmovable arms locked around her. Well, there went her escape-out-the-window-while-everyone's-distracted plan.
The Council members, Homura, Koharu and Danzou, as well as the Clan Heads and Sarutobi swept into the room with various expressions on their faces. Greed, anger, fear, apprehension, caution all were directed towards Kagome, caught in Kakashi's vice-like grip. She managed to free her arms and stroked her necklace, partly to reassure the bijuu who were starting to act up due to all the emotions directed towards their mistress, and partly to give her courage.
She was going to need it.
"Kagome, please answer the question again. You're telling us that you can control all nine Tailed Bijuus?" Shibi Aburame asked kindly, although it was hard to decipher since his collar was in the way. Kagome tried not to groan, she really did but she was tired, hungry and her body had gone numb hours ago since Kakashi wouldn't let her go.
"It's not so much control." Her hand resting on her necklace, "I ask them nicely and they do what I ask. If they don't want to do something, then I don't make them. But that's rare because if I wanted ice cream right now and summoned one of them, they'd go get it for me just because I wanted it. By the way, in case you didn't notice, I want some ice cream."
Shibi was glad his collar was up because he, as well as some other Clan Heads, couldn't stop themselves from smiling at the girl's answer. "That power should not be allowed in the hands of a five year old!" Koharu yelled for the fifth time. "Actually, she'll be six in two weeks." Jiraiya piped up. Minato glared at his former sensei who looked at him innocently.
"So what are you suggesting we do? Lock her up like a forbidden scroll?" Sarutobi asked dryly. "Well if that's the only way." Homura trailed off as most of the people in the room glared at him. Kagome touched the topaz stone and cocked her head curiously before looking at the Elder.
"Shukaku-chan says if you lock me up, he's going to eat you first." She said brightly and Homura paled. "Kagome-sama, are you sure you can't remove the necklace?" Tsume, Kiba's mother as well as Head of the Inuzuka clan asked.
She nodded, her eyes blanking for a minute before refocusing. "No one else can touch it or bad stuff will happen to them. I can remove it, but if anyone touches it or I'm threatened, it'll reappear around my neck." She scrunched her face up, "Kyuubi-chan says it's bonded to me and my children who won't abuse its power."
Heads started to work. Their grandchild would be unstoppable. They had to get Kagome to marry into their clan! "With that necklace, Kagome's worth more than a hundred Kages! It's obvious she's too skilled to be an Academy student so-" Minato stood up suddenly, interrupting Danzou.
"My daughter will not be locked up and she will not be turned into a weapon. She will stay in the Academy like her brother. Any other questions?" He seethed, the murderous intent rolling off him in thick waves. Everyone took that as the cue to leave and once everyone had exited the room, Jiraiya spoke.
"Oooo, I was so scared." He mocked, dodging the kunai aimed at his throat. Jiraiya laughed and held up the victory sign. "You missed me!" He gloated, never seeing the desk flying at him.
"Are you sure about this Kikyo-sensei?" Sakura asked nervously. Her sensei was dressed in what looked like an all-black version of the Sengoku Jidai priestess outfits they read about in one of Iruka-sensei's history lessons. Not to mention the room was completely dark with a few candles lit.
"Of course I am Sakura-chan. After all, you want the power and prestige that comes with being the Hokage's son's girlfriend, and I want the same thing, only with the Hokage. This way we both get what we want." Kikyo smiled, stroking the girl's pink hair. Sakura shook her head.
"But I hate Naruto! He's so annoying!" She whined and let out a sharp yelp when Kikyo yanked on her hair. "You will do as I say Sakura!" She hissed before smirking darkly, "Or should I tell your mommy about you?" Sakura shook her head frantically and Kikyo chuckled. Children were so easy to manipulate.
Seeing a shadow at the only window, Kikyo opened it and her white serpent slipped in, its beady eyes making Sakura shiver. She just wanted to go home now. The serpent slid over to the two bowls laid on the floor. One was already filled and the serpent let the blood it'd taken drip into the empty bowl. Kikyo clapped her hands.
"Minato and Naruto's blood. Excellent my pet. Now for the ceremony." Kikyo dropped to her knees, her serpent coiled around her as she started chanting. Black symbols on the ground around Kikyo and the bowls glowed in the candlelight before rising up. The black written words entered the two bowls and the blood in each seemed to catch on fire. Smoke rose before darting out the window towards its two unsuspecting targets.
"Now what do we do?" Sakura asked and Kikyo smiled, her brown eyes gleaming.
"We say the magic words of course."
"Uh, Kagome, there's someone I'd like you to meet."
Kagome looked at the woman standing beside her father. She looked young, around Minato's age, with long black hair and eerily familiar brown eyes. Kagome realized with jolt, that the woman looked like an older version of Kikyo-sensei.
"This is Kaede. She was a… friend of your mother's. I thought it'd be best if I let you hear her proposal." Minato coughed. Kaede smiled gently at Kagome and beckoned her to come forward. "I've waited a long time to meet you Kagome-chan. You look like your mother." Kaede said, with what seemed like a hint of affection and pride in her voice. Kagome didn't know what to think.
"Kaede has come from Rain country because she's a miko and felt your power when you summoned the Kyuubi." Minato said. Kagome nodded confused and rubbed Kilala in her arms. What was going on?
"I'm here because I wish to train you. You have a lot of power already, and much more that's untapped. I want to make you into a fully trained miko." Kaede said excitedly and Kagome frowned. "So I won't be a ninja anymore?" She asked.
"No, Kaede does have some training as a ninja, not to mention there's a few she's on friendly terms with back at her village who would be willing to teach you some things." Minato smiled encouragingly, but Kagome didn't like the idea.
"I won't see Naruto or any of my friends." She pointed out, and both adults nodded. "We can come back in time for when Naruto graduates and you'll be put into teams." Kaede said and for the life of her, Kagome couldn't realize why she was feeling a burning sensation in her eyes.
"Right now, it's too dangerous for you in Konoha Kagome. That's why I'm sending you away."
That did it.
"Oh so you're sending me away now? Are you going to send Naruto away too?" Kagome cried, "I didn't ask for any of this! I didn't ask for the bijuu or this stupid necklace or anything! I hate you! Did you hear me Tou-san? I hate you!"
Kagome poofed out the room and Minato sat back in his chair, stunned. Kaede placed a hand on his shoulder for comfort. "I'd think it'd be best for both of you, if I take Kagome with me back to Rain tomorrow." She murmured softly, "It'll be easier on her."
But Minato could only repeat in his mind what his daughter had said.
She hated him.
The next morning, a sullen Kagome stood at the gates with a smiling Kaede who was hugging Minato goodbye. A tearful Naruto hugged his little sister and promised to get stronger while she was gone. "Believe it imouto! And we can spar when you get back too." Naruto said, and Kagome offered him a small smile.
Hinata and Tenten were bawling their eyes out when they hugged Kagome goodbye, making the blue eyed girl promise to write them twice every day and to make sure she came back safe. Jiraiya and Tsunade hugged their niece goodbye, handing her several presents to make her training more enjoyable. Kagome took Kilala from a smiling Kakashi and hugged him as well.
"By the way, I burned your Icha Icha Series this morning." She stated and relished in the look on Kakashi's face. But the one person who wasn't there was her father. Kagome tried to stem the guilt and disappointment growing in her heart by covering it up with anger.
She was a bird that wanted to be free; he was the one who clipped her feathers every time they grew.
So she and Kaede walked out the gates and out their lives, never knowing that when they would return, everything would have changed.
Kikyo was happy, no she was positively elated as she finished pinning her hair up in a loose bun. The brat was leaving today and best of all, she was sure her curse on Minato had worked. Now, she was on her way to test it.
Kikyo made her eyes looked dark and alluring with a lot of eyeliner and mascara, humming a little tune as she put on dark red lipstick. Smacking her lips at herself in the mirror, Kikyo danced towards her bed where an extremely short and tight fitted kimono lay. It was dark red to match her lips with white hibiscus flowers printed on it.
It had cost her entire paycheck this month to pay for it but she shrugged. Minato would take care of her and buy her dozens more. Putting it on, it left nothing to the imagination and Kikyo smirked at the thought of her soon-to-be lover's face when he saw she was going commando.
Putting on her black high heels, Kikyo held her head up high as she poofed to outside Minato's office. Just as she was going to knock, Minato opened the door, obviously in a rush.
"Where are you going Minato-kun?" She asked innocently and his eye twitched at the honorific but he let it slide. "I have to see Kagome off." He explained and tried to go around her but she firmly pushed him back into his office.
"I need to go." He growled, resisting the urge to shake some sense into the foolish Chunin. "And I need things too." She drawled, a dark red nail scratching her neck slowly, "I need my koishii."
Minato's eyes fogged for an instant before clearing up and he shoved past Kikyo, intent on leaving. Kikyo resisted throwing a tantrum and called on the small amount of spiritual energy she had.
"I said I need my koishii." She snapped and Minato stopped as his eyes turned foggy and stayed that way this time. He turned around and Kikyo pulled out the chopsticks in her hair, letting her hair fall to her waist. Instantly she was shoved up against the wall and she moaned as Minato planted kisses all over her throat while hiking her legs up around his waist. She'd be sure to tell Sakura that the curse worked. Of course, after she and Minato went a couple rounds.
She always got what she wanted.
"Eat up Kagome-chan. I've never lost a student and I don't intend to now." Kaede smiled as she handed Kagome a sandwich she had packed. They had stopped for the night and were currently watching the stars. Kilala mewed in contentment and Kagome, who was no longer in a sullen mood, became curious.
"You've had other students?" She asked, munching on her peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Kaede's eyes turned sad for a moment before she nodded. "Yes, my two sisters. I was the oldest and was in training ever since I was born to become a miko. I'm not the best but I had more spiritual power than them."
"So what did they do?" Kagome questioned. Kaede sighed, careful about her words.
"My youngest sister was in love with a man even though she was betrothed to a clansman of ours. She moped and cried for so long even though my middle sister and I tried to convince her it was a one sided love. The man my youngest sister fell for was really in love with my middle sister but she cared for the youngest so much, she took her place and married our clansman instead." Kaede' eyes turned hard, "But my youngest sister didn't appreciate the sacrifice our sister did. She grew jealous because the man still loved the middle sister despite being married and turned to the dark arts in order to win his affection. That was when I left Konoha."
Kagome and Kilala's eyes were huge as they ate their popcorn. Kagome opened her mouth to ask a question when a familiar chakra reached her senses. She blushed furiously and Kaede watched amusedly as the girl tried to brush off imaginary lint from her clothes before standing to meet the person.
A dark eyed boy dropped from the trees; a tint of hurt and affection nestled in his orbs. "Ohayo Itachi-kun." Kagome said, drawing closer to him and squeaked when he pulled her into a hug suddenly. "You left without saying goodbye." He accused and Kagome could only nod, her face turning red.
'Kaede-sensei is right there!' She thought embarrassed. Itachi let her go and quickly kissed her, killing any and all thoughts of him wanting someone else or that she was a bad kisser. When they pulled apart, both children's faces were beet red but Kagome smiled shyly at Itachi. The corners of his lips quirked up and his hands quickly dug in his pocket.
"I got you this." He said gruffly, looking towards the side as he fastened the bracelet on her wrist. It was silver to match her necklace but had an Uchiwa fan charm dangling from it. Itachi dug in his other pocket and pulled out matching earrings as well.
"Itachi-kun, I can't accept all this." Kagome said breathlessly. Itachi shoved them in her hand and stepped back so she wouldn't be able to give them back. "It's a parting gift and so you don't forget me." He said quietly and Kagome smiled softly before kissing his cheek. Kaede inwardly squealed.
"I'd never forget you Itachi-kun."
Well, last chapter and now the timeskip! I'm looking forward towards writing more stuff when they're older and they can do alot more things that five year olds cant. Anyways, PM me if you have any questions on what happened because I know alot did go on this chapter that was needed for everything else to play out. Also, if you've been paying attention I'm sure you know who Kaede's younger sisters are and who Kagome is to her.
Congratulations to InuKag 19, she got the most jewels correctly listed out of the only two people who tried. So she picked the GaaraxKagome fic for my next project which I'll probably post a chapter of soon, just to see how people like it.
Thanks for everyone who reviewed, I think it was around thirty reviews for my last chapter! Thanks again and love you guys!
Your reviews channel my imagination
-Verdant